Marlin in .45/70 or 30-30

GMC403 said:
^^^^^^

Not sure why you're quoting me. I was responding to a claim about excellent "NEW" Marlins.

(Warden70) was talking about used rifles, and I agree with him too.

If "minor" gun smithing or warranty work is acceptable to you for a new Firearm then so be it. On a pre owned rifle, sure.
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Sorry, it was not to single you out.

The degree to which minor smithing is acceptable depends on the retail price. I think of any fully steel and machined (not cast like Rugers) firearm under $1000 as essentially a "kit gun" in need of final improvements.

Here's a 1955 ad for a 336, they were about $70 bucks new then, which is about $650 in today's money - so the price has remained fairly flat for a 336.

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But that does not tell the whole story. Core inflation calculators assume 3.6% inflation, on average, per year but this excludes things like food, heath care, fuel, etc. True inflation is much higher. Back in the 1950's, skilled labour was under-paid compared to today, but food, fuel, medicine, etc. cost much less than the reverse amortization at 3.6% and most blue collar workers could easily make a go of it with their spouses not working. Workers earned much less for the same skilled manual labour than we would expect to see today in a modern era of trade unions and skilled labour shortages. This means hand fitting was cheap and was part of marlin's manufacturing strategy.

Today, all that pesky labour and union stuff has largely been replaced with CNC processes and unskilled assembly so that Marlin can hold the line on pricing. To a degree, some of the "finesse" of skilled assembly is left to the end user. C'est la vie!
 
My sons both used 7x57s, they had use of many different rifles/calibers over the years. They like my 45-70s for fun shooting. One said he would like to borrow the Marlin. They show little intrest in my 30-30 trapper. When I pushed bush or just "was there with them" I often carried my Ruger #3 in 45-70. That might work for you very light, accurate, and can have lots of recoil. Do not be afraid of the recoil in the Marlin, with most loads it is fine. Injoy the time with your kids, they are onto there own life far to fast. Good luck.
 
Peep sights are readily available for most models of lever gun. I recommend them.

ipscgraz said:
I have Marlins in both calibers.

You can load 45/70 down to 30/30 power easily but you can't load 30/30 up to 45/70 power.

Whichever you choose, make sure you can shoot well with those buckhorn sights.
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Hands down go 45-70 if bears - any bears - are in your part of the country.

Sure a 30-30 will kill a bear, but if you are out with the kids you want something that will stop a bear. 30-30 won't be turning any charging bears or dropping an angry momma who thinks your boys just got too close to her boys.

30-30 is a fine bear hunting round, but i would never rely on it to keep my kids safe from 300lbs of fur teeth and claws.
 
I bought the 1895SBL and my boys used the little Browning BL22 for some lever experience. When I handled a 336Y (youth) I was amazed how small and handy it is. It is actually shorter than the BL22! My 336Y is perfect for the kids and amazingly handy as a truck gun/ hiking companion for me. Try to get your hands on one before you decide.
 
I know many will disagree, but a great disappointment for me is that nobody makes a decent synthetic stock for the 1895 to lighten it up a bit. I have a pepper laminate on mine, but it's HEAVY...
 
I have a 30-30 and a 45-70 they just both happen to be Winchester. Winchester are my first choice however the Marlins are nice rifles as well. I find for myself the 30-30 is a nice usable hunting rifle and the 45-70 is just a gun that is a bast to take out for a day of fun shooting. I would probably never grab the 45-70 to carry in the bush.
 
Why aren't you considering the in-betweeners? Like 35 Remington and 444 Marlin? They are both great cartridges and more potent than a 30/30, a bit less than a 45/70. I owned a 444 for a while and loved it. Wish I still had it. But if I was to go for a 336 again I'd seriously consider a 35 Remington. Nothing wrong with 30-30 either.
 
inthehizzy said:
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Great film :)

In practise though, even just a barrelled action 1895 is a heavy object. It doesn't need a 3 lbs stock to remain on the heavy side of things.

I would not put a synthetic stock on a blued gun, but on a stainless version... I think I'd do it for sure if such a beast existed for reasonable money.
 
Well thanks for all advice and replies. Thinking of going 30/30 seams more practical for me for now, but am going tomorrow so hopefully the one i want is still there. Then I guess it will be a sign. But seriously thank you all for everything gave me lots to think about.
 
If you reload, go the 45-70 route.

You can cook up all sorts of soft shooting and weird loads from shot shells, to tri-ball, to mild collar button or round ball loads for plinking. And if you want something sterner, you have power to burn with the cartridge.

30-30 is a fine cartridge, but your limited to mild cast bullet loads, full power cast bullet loads and full power jacketed loads. Still lots to play with if you reload but not nearly as versatile as the 45-70.

If I were you, id save that Marlin money and spend it on a miroku winchester.
 
CZ_Brno said:
Well, the 45/70 you can load down a lot and have fun plinking with it. Not that there's much wrong with the 30-30 anyway. Plus the 30-30 would be cheaper to shoot.

The Model 336C comes in .35 Remington does it not?
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.35 Rem. That's what I'd do.... or the .45/70, 444/450 Marlin, or even .44mag as in all honesty...who doesn't like launching big, heavy chunks of lead at things? :cool:
 
mikeystew said:
Why aren't you considering the in-betweeners? Like 35 Remington and 444 Marlin? They are both great cartridges and more potent than a 30/30, a bit less than a 45/70. I owned a 444 for a while and loved it. Wish I still had it. But if I was to go for a 336 again I'd seriously consider a 35 Remington. Nothing wrong with 30-30 either.
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This. Except I would take the 444 marlin. I own one with a micro groove barrel and shoot open sights with 240 grain soft point out to a 100 yards. Throw a scope on come deer and moose season and use it as my short range heavy hitter.
 
I own both calibers in Marlins and I would never be without a 45-70 again. You need to be a reloader though to take advantage of this caliber. Like others have said you can load it very mild to very wild and everywhere in between. The 30-30 is a much better choice if you don't reload or plan to reload.
 
Well bit the bull it today. Had full intentions of going 30/30 but got to store and couldn't get away with my gut instinct and went .45/70. Which is what I was originally looking at to begin with before 30/30 even entered my thoughts. So thanks for everything but guess you just growing what feels right. Oh it didn't help that they had a 1895sbl in stock as I can never find them in town only on net but it's all mine, cost a few pennies more but be a lifelong gun I am sure
 
I shoot my marlin 336 30-30 lots. 200yrd deer and black bear gun all day long. Moose and elk should be no problem at honest ranges. I was looking at 45-70s as well. but if I need horsepower in a small package I have my 375ruger.

Lever guns are fun. One day I might get a 45-70 just to try a different flavor.

30-30 is cheep. Load with lead cast and it's great on the wallet.
 
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